Collins 30L-1
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| Frequency | 80–10 m (HF amateur) |
| TX power | 600 W |
| Modes | SSB, CW, AM, digital |
| Year | 1961 |
| rf in | SO-239 |
| rf out | SO-239 |
| amp keying | RCA phono, grid-block keying |
| dc in | 115/230V AC (built-in supply) |
| power req | 115 or 230 V AC, built-in supply |
The Collins amplifier, styled to match the S-Line. Four 811A tubes in grounded-grid give 1000W PEP input (roughly 500-600W output), needing ~70W of drive. Collins build quality, with a gold-and-grey cabinet matching the 32S-3 and 75S-3. The 811A tubes are cheap and available. A 30L-1 completes the classic S-Line station.
811A tubes have limited plate dissipation. Grid-block keying needs an interface with modern radios. Collins parts are expensive. The 811As are run hard and tube life is limited at full power. 80m-10m only.
The S-Line amplifier. The 30L-1 completes the Collins S-Line station visually and electrically. Four cheap tubes, Collins quality, matching cosmetics. The amplifier every S-Line owner wants.
The Collins 30L-1 is a classic HF linear amplifier, the compact, desk-sized companion that adds power to a Collins S-line or KWM-2 station. It is a grounded-grid design using four 811A triode tubes, rated for 1000 watts of power input (PEP on SSB, average on CW) across the 80 through 10 meter bands, which corresponds to roughly 500 to 600 watts of RF output in the convention of its day.
It was prized for being relatively small and light for a kilowatt-class amplifier, running from ordinary household power, and for the smooth, reliable operation and clean signal that matched the rest of the Collins line. The 811A tubes are inexpensive and forgiving, which has helped keep these amplifiers in service for decades. A well-maintained 30L-1 remains a popular and practical vintage amplifier, valued as much for its Collins pedigree as for its modest, usable power boost.
It is a discontinued classic. Pair it with the KWM-2 or the S-line.